Art and cultural knowledge merge at Cedar Art workshop
Posted on Monday, November 17th, 2025
On Thursday, Nov. 13, learners, employees and community members gathered in Nawapon to learn from Anita Tenasco, Director,
Indigenous Initiatives, about the traditional healing knowledge of the cedar tree.
Cedar is associated with healing and purification from its medicinal uses and role in ceremonies. In Tenasco’s Indigenous teachings, she shared that cedar is used in many forms, including teas, treating skin conditions like eczema, preparing the body for the spirit world, burial traditions and use on newborns and the ill to promote healing.
Participants engaged with thoughtful questions about cultural practices and shared their own experiences.
Following the discussion, attendees were each given a cedar cutting to use in artwork with paint on paper, wood and canvas to create a unique piece in celebration of the plant’s significance. While getting creative, participants connected with each other and enjoyed light refreshments.
Participants got creative, making unique paintings.
A few of the participants’ finished creations.
Three student navigators helped to facilitate the workshop alongside Anita Tenasco.
After the workshop, Tenasco gathered all the cedar to wash the paint off and return it back to the land.
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- TRI News